Kevin Staines
Hotel Manager, Ness Walk, Inverness
- What was your favourite subject at school?
History, if I had to choose, as I had an engaging teacher, although the school environment wasn’t for me, I left in 5th year with limited qualifications
- What was your first job?
A porter at the Golf View Hotel in Nairn, at the time privately owned by the Sword family, and ran by the fantastic Greta Anderson, Miss A to all those who knew her, she was a fantastic “first boss”
- Which is your favourite restaurant /hotel?
We love the Dipping Lugger in Ullapool, and we have visited the Clayton in Glasgow many times, and always receive a very warm welcome there, and its ideal for my many football trips!
- How do you inspire your team
By leading from the front, being visible, engaging, and humorous. I am energetic, and whilst I think motivation has to come from within, as leaders, we can inspire by being on the front foot, and giving our team leaders the opportunity to show their worth, and support them, not just tell them what to do
- Which person in hospitality have you most admired / inspired you?
I need more than one!! Miss A, as previously mentioned, without her leadership, I wouldn’t have chosen this as a career, and my current CEO/Owner, Tony Story, and our Directors, James Story, and Craig Ewan. They have given me a fantastic opportunity to run a brilliant hotel, and I am very proud to run Ness Walk, and work for such a dedicated and passionate senior leadership team. The time they have invested in me personally, and the business, cannot be measured
- How do you manage your stress levels?
By remaining positive and knowing when to switch off. We work in a stressful industry, but we must remain measured, or the stress can take over.
- Instagram, X or Facebook – and why?
Facebook, my release of silliness each morning, I love a meme share, and it’s a great way of keeping in touch with my family and friends on different shores. Minimising my screen time has been great too, for relaxing, and by not having my phone in my hand in the evenings, it does give for a much more relaxed time
- If you had not gone into hospitality, where do you
think you would be now?
My plan was 18 months work, then join the police force once I was old enough, however, within weeks working with fantastic people, I knew this was the career for me. And it is a career, not just a job, and in Scotland, we need to be prouder of that fact.
- What did you do on your last days off?
Relaxed with family, and spent time in my garden
- What do you do to relax, to support your wellbeing?
We purchased our 94-year-old neighbour’s greenhouse last year (he’s been our neighbour for 10 years and has been in the house for nearly 60!), and have invested a lot of time this summer, learning, making mistakes with a wide selection of bedding plants, fruit, vegetables and strawberries, as well as growing potatoes, and vegetables outdoors. I enjoy our garden, and it is my happy place to switch off in. In addition to this, we walk and take a break whenever we can. As well as factoring in trips to watch our beloved Rangers FC at Ibrox (which can at times is not as relaxing as it’s meant to be, but this is our year right?!)
